Document 2 – Spartan Discipline for Youths

AD 100

Before the seventh century BCE the people of Sparta lived much like those in other Greek City states. However according to legend the Spartan government changed when int came under the leadership of the lawgiver Lycurgus. New laws were enacted that transformed Sparta into a military state. Sparta became a warrior culture the emphasized strength, discipline, and sacrifice. Several centuries later, the Greek writer Plutarch described the upbringing of Spartan youths during the rule of Lycurgus.

The following are excerpts from Plutarch’s writing:

The children grew up free and unconstrained in limb and form, and not dainty and fanciful about their food; not afraid in the dark, or of being left alone; without any peevishness or ill humor or crying. As soon as they were seven years old they were to be enrolled in certain companies and classes, where they all lived under the same order and discipline, doing their exercises and taking their play together. Of these, he who showed the most conduct and courage was made captain; they had their eyes always upon him, obeyed his orders, and underwent patiently whatsoever punishment he inflicted; so that the whole course of their education was one continued exercise of a ready and perfect obedience. Reading and writing they gave them, just enough to serve their turn; their chief care was to make them good subjects, and to teach them to endure pain and conquer in battle. To this end, as they grew in years, their discipline was proportionally increased; their heads were close clipped and they were accustomed to go barefoot.

After they were twelve years old, the were no longer allowed to wear any undergarment; they had one coat to serve them a year; their bodies were hard and dry, and they were rarely allowed to bath but a couple times a year. They lodged together in little bands upon beds made of the rushes.

USE THESE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU ADD TO YOUR CHART

  1. What culture did Lycurgus transform Sparta into? What three things were emphasized?
  2. When did the Spartans go to school? Could both boys and girls go?
  3. What did one have to do to become captain? What privileges did he have over the other boys?
  4. What was the chief care of the school? Did they learn how to read and write?